For children, treatment for Cerebral Palsy primarily aims to increase mobility and promote physical development such as sitting, crawling, and walking. Treatment should be started early and should aim to continue on a regular basis. Every child with Cerebral Palsy presents differently and has different needs. At Hobbs Rehabilitation, our specialist pediatric physiotherapists will tailor a treatment program specific to each child’s needs. Some of the physiotherapy treatments we offer aim to:
- Increase muscle strength and activation
- Decrease muscles tightness and spasms through stretching programs and splinting techniques
- Encourage physical development through play and everyday activities
- Improve mobility with the use of different aids
Physiotherapy for Cerebral Palsy in adults:
For adults, treatment is aimed at improving muscle activation and control and improving functional abilities. Specialist services for adults with Cerebral Palsy are often less widely available than those for children. Every individual with Cerebral Palsy presents with different symptoms, needs and priorities depending on their age and the extent of the damage to the brain. Each individual will be assessed by their therapist and have treatment tailored to their needs and goals. Some of the physiotherapy treatments we offer can help to:
- Increase muscle strength through strengthening and mobilisation exercises
- Minimise abnormal patterns of movement through re-alignment and activation of muscles
- Improve postural alignment through mobilisation and strengthening
- Improve balance and mobility through assessment of different seating and mobility aids and postural re-education
- Increase sensation through sensory stimulation
- Reduce muscle stiffness, spasms and pain through stretching programmes
- Reduce the risk of falls through balance work, gait re-education and training
- Help reduce foot drop through functional electrical stimulation (FES) and various orthotics
- Increase independence and quality of life through management of positioning in bed and seating
